Baseball

Baseball season has arrived and for the first time since 1968, all 30 teams are on the schedule for opening day.  The first of 15 games will begin at 1:05 p.m. Eastern time, with the Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals, San Francisco Giants, and New York Yankees.  Chicago's own White Sox will begin the season by facing off against the 2022 World Series Champion, Houston Astros.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/01/31/mlb-opening-day-schedule-when-does-2023-baseball-season-start/11155102002/

Baseball: A History of America's Game by Rader, Benjamin G.

In this fourth edition, Benjamin G. Rader updates the text with a portrait of baseball's new order. He charts an on-the-field game transformed by analytics, an influx of Latino and Asian players, and a generation of players groomed for brute power both on the mound and at the plate. He also analyzes the behind-the-scenes revolution that brought in billions of dollars from a synergy of marketing and branding prowess, visionary media development, and fan-friendly ballparks abuzz with nonstop entertainment. The result is an entertaining and comprehensive tour of a game that, whatever its changes, always reflects American society and culture.

A History of Baseball in 100 Objects: A Tour Through the Bats, Balls, Uniforms, Awards, Documents, and Other Artifacts that Tell the Story of the National Pastime by Leventhal, Josh

A visual and historical record of the game as told through essential documents, letters, photographs, equipment, memorabilia, food and drink, merchandise and media items, and relics of popular culture, each of which represents the history and evolution of the game.

Baseball in Rockford by Griswold, Kenny.

Rockford, IL, and the surrounding area, the Rock River Valley, is rich in baseball history. The town first attracted national baseball attention in 1867 when its Forest City team defeated the touring Washington Nationals, who were previously undefeated. Rockford's young pitcher, Albert G. Spalding, quickly became recognized as a legend, as he dominated all aspects of the game.

Rockford's baseball history continued with minor league teams, industrial league teams, and other teams both semi-pro and amateur. The city again gained national attention with the four-time champion Rockford Peaches of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (1943-1954). The excitement of professional ball in the Forest City continues today with the Rockford River Hawks of the Frontier League. Baseball in Rockford tells the players' stories from 1865 to the present, illustrated with vintage photographs throughout.

 

Series: Creative Sports: Veterans.

Baseball's Best Traditions and Weirdest Superstitions by Smith, Elliott

Going to a baseball game? Don't expect the teams to care about a rookie's first home run. But do watch for Bryce Harper's bat tapping ritual each time he's up for bat. But first, slide into the ins and outs of good fun and good luck in baseball. With engaging text and striking photos, this book will delight young sports fan with some of the best and weirdest practices on the field and in the stands.

Moon Baseball Road Trips: The Complete Guide To All the Ballparks, with Beer, Bites, and Sights Nearby by Malcolm, Timothy

Sunshine, hot dogs, friends, and the excitement of the game: Baseball is called America's pastime for a reason. Experience the best of the MLB cities and stadiums with Moon Baseball Road Trips.

Call Him Jack: The Story of Jackie Robinson, Black freedom fighter by Williams, Yohuru

According to Martin Luther King, Jr., Jackie Robinson was "a sit-inner before the sit-ins, a freedom rider before the Freedom Rides." According to Hank Aaron, Robinson was a leader of the Black Power movement before there was a Black Power movement. According to his wife, Rachel Robinson, he was always Jack, not Jackie--the diminutive form of his name bestowed on him in college by white sports writers. And throughout his whole life, Jack Robinson was a fighter for justice, an advocate for equality, and an inspiration beyond just baseball.

From prominent Robinson scholars Yohuru Williams and Michael G. Long comes Call Him Jack, an exciting biography that recovers the real person behind the legend, reanimating this famed figure's legacy for new generations, widening our focus from the sportsman to the man as a whole, and deepening our appreciation for his achievements on the playing field in the process.

Baseball's Leading Lady: Effa Manley and the rise and fall of the Negro Leagues by Williams, Andrea

"The true story of Effa Manley, the first and only woman in the Baseball Hall of Fame, and her ownership role in the Negro Leagues leading up to the integration of Major League Baseball"-- Provided by publisher.

Dinner with Dimaggio: Memories of an American Hero by Positano, Rock G.

"Revealing and little-known stories of the great Yankees Hall of Famer from the man who knew him best in the last ten years of his life -- from Ted Williams and his Yankees teammates on the field to Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and other great celebrities off the field"-- Provided by publisher.

Baseball: A Literary Anthology

Poems in Baseball: A Literary Anthology include indispensable works whose phrases have entered the language-Ernest Thayer's "Casey at the Bat" and Franklin P. Adams's "Baseball's Sad Lexicon"-as well as more recent offerings from May Swenson, Yusef Komunyakaa, and Martin Espada. Testimonies from classic oral histories offer insights into the players who helped enshrine the sport in the American imagination. Spot reporting by Heywood Broun and Damon Runyon stands side by side with journalistic profiles that match baseball legends with some of our finest writers: John Updike on Ted Williams, Gay Talese on Joe DiMaggio, Red Smith on Lefty Grove.

Divination 2023-03-27

 

Divination is the art or practice of seeking knowledge about the future and it comes in many forms.  Astrology, numerology, tarot, palmistry, bibliomancy, and dream interpretation are just a few of those forms. Different types of crystals are said to help raise one's intuition and psychic ability.  For example,  Amethyst, Smoky Quartz, Rose Quartz, and Clear Quartz, are among the crystals that have been suggested for use in elevating intuition and enhancing clarity during tarot readings. 

Reading The Stars: Astrology for Book Lovers

"Reading the Stars is where your favorite books, authors, and characters meet astrology, answering key questions: What should you read based on the cosmos? Do you and your favorite fictional characters share the same sign? What about authors? And what does that mean for you? Open up a whole new world of astrology with this literary exploration!"--Back cover.

The Secrets of Astrology: A Complete Guide to Sun Signs, Planets, Houses, and More by Taylor,

 Carole

"Let astrology reveal the secrets of your personality, your friendships, your ambitions, and your dreams. Explore the Sun signs, planets, and astrological houses, and find out how they work together to make you You." -- Back cover.

The Fortune-Telling Handbook

Many different fortune-telling methods have evolved down through the centuries, and virtually all of them are explored in this fact-filled, color-illustrated, how-to book. Readers will find a wealth of practical hints and tips on how to use all techniques described by the author. They'll discover the many ways to tell fortunes and come up with intriguing results. Fortune telling's origins and diverse histories are also reviewed, along with information on interpreting dreams, dowsing, throwing dice, tea-leaf reading, and understanding popular superstitions. Separate sections focus on: Western Astrology, Chinese Astrology, Tarot Reading, Palm Reading, Ouija Boards, Numerology, Crystal Balls, and more. Here is a perfect introduction for beginners, and a source of inspiration for seasoned lovers of fortune-telling. Hundreds of color diagrams and illustrations.

Signs & Symbols of the World: over 1,001 visual signs explained by McElroy, D. R.

"What in the world do symbols mean? And what about its meaning might have led my coffee date to tattoo it on his entire forearm? Where did the symbol originate, and what was its first meaning? How did the ampersand symbol ' & ' come about and how was it applied daily in book publishing? And what is the full story behind that staring eye on top of the pyramid on our American dollar bill? This comprehensive guide to signs and symbols explains."--. Goodreads.com

The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need by Woolfolk, Joanna Martine

This new edition of The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need is packed with updated information on Sun signs, Moon signs, Ascending signs, the placement of Planets in your Houses, and the latest astronomical discoveries. This book provides the compatibility between every sign (144 combinations) and dispenses advice about health, money, lifestyle, and romance, while also offering advice on dealing with the negative aspects of each sign. This edition also takes an even closer look at the inner life of the individual and the emotional needs that motivate a person. Chapters include a look back on the history and mythology of astrology as well as the newest developments in astronomy. This is an indispensable source book for unlocking the mysteries of the cosmos through the twenty-first century and beyond.

Young Oracle Tarot: An Initiation into Tarot's Mystic Wisdom by Ferguson, Suki

"Discover a powerful global tradition. Unlock your inner wisdom. And steer your destiny. For hundreds of years, people have turned to tarot to seek answers. This book helps young truth-seekers use these mysterious cards to navigate the trials and triumphs of their lives. Tarot readers-in-training can discover the origins, symbols, and uses of tarot, and find out how to practice readings for themselves and for others." --. Publisher's description.

The Awakened Dreamer: how to remember & interpret your dreams by Ambrose, Kala

"What makes this book magical is its wealth of sensible advice on preparing and caring for children, and its emphasis on mothers taking care of themselves and honoring their own spirits."--Publishers Weekly

Your dreams can be an important part of your decision-making, relationships, and problem-solving--if you properly apply them. This easy-to-use book shows how to strengthen the connection between your conscious and unconscious self, helping you achieve your goals and discover valuable insight. You'll explore dreams and sleep phenomena of all kinds, including:Recurring

Prophetic

Teaching

Visitation

Lucid

Nightmare

Daydream

Sleep Walking

Sleep Talking

The Awakened Dreamerprovides approachable exercises, guided meditations, example dreams, and instructions for creating your own symbol guide. You'll also learn how to combine daydreams with powerful visualizations that can be channeled into your nightly dreams, allowing you to manifest your desires into reality.

The Numerology Bible: The Definitive Guide to the Power of Numbers by Moorey, Teresa

Most people have a lucky number. Numerology goes beyond that, giving people an easy way to use personal numbers to enhance their potential and even predict the future.

The Numerology Bible is a comprehensive guide that shows how to discover those numbers and use them to unveil hidden personality traits, find success at work, choose a romantic partner, and much more. It shows how to select auspicious dates for future events and to give numerology readings for the years ahead.

The book is organized in five sections:The Numbers -- Describes the numbers 1 to 9 and the "master" numbers 11 and 22, introduces the formulas and how to use them.

Relationships -- Explains how the numbers relate to each other in love, in relationships at work and in friendships.

Personal Cycles -- Shows how to use numerology to divine what each year has in store.

Numbers in Your Life -- Reviews the numbers that feature in life, such as car numbers, house numbers, and phone numbers.

Lifestyle -- Explores how numerology relates to the rhythms of life over time, such as holidays, personal style, home life, career, finances and health.

The art of numerology has its origins in many religions and societies. However, The Numerology Bible focuses not on history or religious interpretation. Rather, it is a fascinating, practical guide that will be of interest to the many people looking for guidance as they navigate modern life.

Crystals for Beginners: The Guide to Get Started with the Healing Power of Crystals by Frazier, Karen

Learn how use crystals to balance mind, body and soul, harness energies, create everyday wellness, and establish a positive lifestyle. Features in-depth information on how, where, and when to use ten essential and forty additional crystals.

Crystals have always been prized for their beauty, but people are increasingly turning to these natural vibrational powerhouses for overall wellness as they seek to de-stress, find balance, and focus on the positive. Frazier offers an introduction to crystal energy healing, with recommendations for gathering a small yet powerful collection of the most versatile crystals. -- adapted from back cover

Crystal Pairings: Powerful Crystal Combinations for Well-Being by Rayow, Emily Suzanne

Discover how crystals can be used to enhance your physical and spiritual well-being.

As we enter a new, spiritually enlightened age, more people than ever are turning to the metaphysical world of crystal energy. Once-esoteric practices such as Reiki, acupuncture, and crystal healing are quickly becoming mainstream. From ancient shamanic headdresses to the quartz in your wristwatch, crystals have been in our collective consciousness since time immemorial. This book focuses on honing our relationship with various stones, pairing stones for certain outcomes, and exploring the relationships between the stones themselves.Author Emily Rayow will show you how to combine the energies of multiple crystals to create a powerful nexus and obtain their maximum healing benefits.

This comprehensive introduction discusses the various uses of crystals for healing, protection, and spiritual well-being.

Each crystal is accompanied by photos and discussion of its properties.

Book includes discussion of how crystals are used in a variety of practices, including reiki, meditation, and astrology.

An illustrated glossary shows examples of each crystal along with its key therapeutic uses.

A "Noble" Love Story

One theme found in Romance is  Royalty and Nobility, especially in Regency Romance (British Regency 1811–1820 or early 19th century.  It's amongst these that the trope of "The Rake" seems to frequent. Where female protagonists are often warned to steer clear of a certain Duke or Earl due to rather "unwholesome" reputations.  Another trope that stands out in these romances is a desire to break away from societal expectations, especially concerning marriage; whether it is a  hope to marry for love, rather than a title, or to avoid matrimony altogether. 

The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by Charles, KJ

"Bridgerton meets Poldark in this sweeping Regency romance of smugglers, adventure, mystery, and life-changing love from celebrated author KJ Charles. Abandoned by his father, Gareth Inglis grew up lonely, prickly, and well-used to disappointment. Still, he longs for a connection. When he meets a charming man in a London molly house, he falls head over heels--until everything goes wrong and he's left alone again. Then Gareth's father dies, turning the shabby London clerk into Sir Gareth, with a grand house on the remote Romney Marsh and a family he doesn't know. The Marsh is another world, a strange, empty place notorious for its ruthless gangs of smugglers. And one of them is dangerously familiar... Joss Doomsday has run the Doomsday smuggling clan since he was a boy. When the new baronet--his old lover--agrees to testify against Joss's sister, Joss acts fast to stop him. Their reunion is anything but happy, yet after the dust settles, neither can stay away. Soon, all Joss and Gareth want is the chance to be together. But the bleak, bare Marsh holds deadly secrets. And when Gareth finds himself threatened from every side, the gentleman and the smuggler must trust one another not just with their hearts, but with their lives"--. Provided by publisher.

The Kindred by Dow, Alechia

"Joy Abara knows her place. A commoner from the lowly planet Hali, she lives a simple life--apart from the notoriety that being Kindred to the nobility's most infamous playboy brings. Duke Felix Hamdi has a plan. He will exasperate his noble family to the point that they agree to let him choose his own future and finally meet his Kindred face-to-face. Then the royal family is assassinated, putting Felix next in line for the throne...and accused of the murders. Someone will stop at nothing until he's dead, which means they'll target Joy, too"--. Provided by publisher.

To Love and to Loathe: a novel by Waters, Martha

"The widowed Diana, Lady Templeton and Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham are infamous among English high society as much for their sharp-tongued bickering as their flirtation. One evening, an argument at a ball turns into a serious wager: Jeremy will marry within the year or Diana will forfeit one hundred pounds. So shortly after, just before a fortnight-long house party at Elderwild, Jeremy's country estate, Diana is shocked when Jeremy appears at her home with a very different kind of proposition. After his latest mistress unfavorably criticized his skills in the bedroom, Jeremy is looking for reassurance, so he has gone to the only woman he trusts to be totally truthful. He suggests that they embark on a brief affair while at the house party-Jeremy can receive an honest critique of his bedroom skills and widowed Diana can use the gossip to signal to other gentlemen that she is interested in taking a lover. Diana thinks taking him up on his counter-proposal can only help her win her wager. With her in the bedroom and Jeremy's marriage-minded grandmother, the formidable Dowager Marchioness of Willingham, helping to find suitable matches among the eligible ladies at Elderwild, Diana is confident her victory is assured. But while they're focused on winning wagers, they stand to lose their own hearts"--. Provided by publisher.

Midnight Masquerade by McClure, Marcia Lynn

"Stavos Voronin was not as blind-eyed as many nobles and royals. Evony's physical gestures -- even the simplest movement of her hands -- revealed that she had not always been destitute. The same was true of the children -- their polished manners and knowledge of horses and tendency to be bold and fearless of strangers. Ah yes, Stavos enjoyed a good mystery. After all, interest in the inexplicable circumstances surrounding the royals of Abawyth was the very thing that had lured him to the kingdom -- the enigma of Abawyth's twelve sleepy princesses. And yet now -- now his mind was all the more intrigued. Not only was the obscurity of what had caused the profound and baffling torpidity of Abawyth's princesses laid out before him, but also he found his curiosity intensely piqued over the riddle surrounding the very lovely Evony and her siblings. As Stavos strode through the village resting on the outskirts of Abawyth Castle, his mind reeled with possibilities. His musings were drawn back to why he had come to Abawyth at all -- to solve the conundrum surrounding the twelve beautiful princesses of Abawyth kingdom -- to solve the seemingly impenetrable crux and thereby win the hand of one of Abawyth's princesses, as his father, King Letholdus of Ethiarien, had commanded."--. Provided by publisher.

Remember Love: by Balogh, Mary

"The undisputed queen of Regency romance is back with a brand-new series perfect for fans of Bridgerton. Discover New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh's Ravenswood series. The handsome and charismatic Earl of Stratton, Caleb Ware, has been exposed to the ton for his clandestine affairs-by his own son. As a child, Devlin Ware thought his family stood for all that was right and good in the world. They were kind, gracious, and shared the beauty of Ravenwood, their grand country estate, by hosting lavish parties for the entire countryside. But at twenty-two, he discovered his whole world was an elaborate illusion, and when Devlin publicly called his family to account for it, he was exiled as a traitor. So be it. He enlisted in the fight against Napoleon and didn't look back for six years. But now his father is dead, the Ware family is broken, and as the heir he is being called home. It's only when Gwyneth Rhys-the woman he loved and then lost after his family banished him-holds out her hand to help him that he is able make the difficult journey and try to piece together his fractured family. It is Gwyneth's loyalty, patience, and love that he needs. But is Devlin's war-hardened heart even capable of offering her love in return?"--. Publisher's description.

The Duke Undone by Lowell, Joanna

"When an artist and a duke cross paths in the bustling London slums, an unlikely love story begins and their lives will be forever changed. Royal Academy painting student Lucy Coover quickly comes to the aid of the naked drunkard she stumbles upon one evening in the Shoreditch slums. If only she could banish his lovely form from her dreams as easily. Instead, she finds herself compelled to paint the man in his natural form. Little does she know that her impromptu subject is none other than the seventh Duke of Weston, Anthony Philby. According to his deceased father's will, Anthony is restricted from doing anything to bring further discredit to their scandal-ridden family. So when the duke is confronted with his nude portrait and accused of betraying his father's will, he goes searching for the mysterious artist, L. Coover. He must convince this artist to destroy the painting before it's seen by high society. Stunned to discover the unconventional and bewitching Lucy, he's further amazed when she tries to convince him to help save her aunt's dressmaking shop from ruin. But Anthony is game, and agrees to aid Lucy if she does him a favor in return: assisting him in searching for his disowned and missing sister, Effie. Continually thrown together, an unexpected passion blossoms between the two. Then the hunt for Effie puts Lucy in danger, threatening her career as an artist, and a surprising betrayal imperils all Anthony holds dear. Facing numerous obstacles, it will take all their strength and will to fight for their love"--. Provided by publisher.

A Duke for Diana by Jeffries, Sabrina

Self-made civil engineer Geoffrey Brookhouse has unexpectedly inherited the dukedom of Greenwood. With the London Season imminent, Geoffrey hires Elegant Occasions to orchestrate his timid sister's debut. Lady Diana Harper, spirited fashion expert, proves more than he bargained for. Suddenly, Geoffrey's sister is emerging from her shell, and he is beleaguered with social invitations and gossip. Worse, Diana is attempting to transform him into a presentable duke, when all he really wants is to make her his own.

Red, White & Royal Blue by McQuiston, Casey

First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz, with his sister and the Veep's genius granddaughter, are the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont. Then photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids. The plan for damage control: stage a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince. Alex soon discovers that beneath Henry's Prince Charming veneer, there's a soft-hearted eccentric with a dry sense of humor and more than one ghost haunting him. As President Claremont kicks off her reelection bid, Alex finds himself hurtling into a relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations. -- adapted from back cover.

Rogue Princess by Myers, B. R.

Princess Delia knows her duty: She must choose a prince to marry in order to secure an alliance and save her failing planet. Yet she secretly dreams of true love, and feels there must be a better way. Determined to chart her own course, she steals a spaceship to avoid the marriage, only to discover a handsome stowaway. All Aidan wanted was to "borrow" a few palace trinkets to help him get off the planet. Okay, so maybe escaping on a royal ship wasn’t the smartest plan, but he never expected to be kidnapped by a runaway princess! Sparks fly as this headstrong princess and clever thief battle wits, but everything changes when they inadvertently uncover a rebel conspiracy that could destroy their planet forever in this gender-swapped sci-fi YA retelling of Cinderella.

 

Bridgerton Series by Quinn, Julia

Storytelling

 

  In 1881, Wendell Philips, activist, and abolitionist referred to history as "a series of lies agreed upon."  Of course, he is not the originator of this claim.  The quote "What is history but a fable agreed upon" has been attributed to Voltaire, Napoleon, and even Emerson but when explored by Quote Investigator and it led to, Bernard Le Bovier de Fontenelle.  In 1724, Fontenelle wrote in his essay "Of the Origin of Fables" "Why would they have bequeathed us a mass of falsehoods? What could this love of men for manifest and ridiculous falsehood, have been, and why did it not last longer? For the Greek fables were not like our novels, which are intended as stories and not as histories; there are no ancient histories other than these fables." 

“Those who control the present, control the past and those who control the past control the future.”

― George Orwell, 1984

Being able to control the narrative is power.  Consider the rise of influencers on social media and how they can seemingly make or break trends, products, and even reputations.  How much control does it take for someone to have the power to sway the masses? And is that power being used ethically and honestly? Storytelling has a power of its own. An ability to cast a spell on the audience that allows them to travel, experience, learn, empathize, feel, and explore.  Sometimes it has the power to enchant the world.

"All I need is a sheet of paper and something to write with, and then I can turn the world upside down." -Friedrich Nietzsche

Making History: the storytellers who shaped the past by Cohen, Richard

"A fascinating, epic exploration of who gets to record the world's history -- from Julius Caesar to William Shakespeare to Ken Burns -- and how their biases influence our understanding about the past. There are many stories we can spin about previous ages, but which accounts get told? And by whom? Is there even such a thing as "objective" history? In this lively and thought-provoking book, Richard Cohen reveals how professional historians and other equally significant witnesses, such as the writers of the Bible, novelists, and political propagandists, influence what becomes the accepted record. Cohen argues, for example, that some historians are practitioners of "Bad History" and twist reality to glorify themselves or their country. Making History investigates the published works and private utterances of our greatest chroniclers to discover the agendas that informed their -- and our -- views of the world. From the origins of history writing, when such an activity itself seemed revolutionary, through to television and the digital age, Cohen brings captivating figures to vivid light, from Thucydides and Tacitus to Voltaire and Gibbon, Winston Churchill and Henry Louis Gates. Rich in complex truths and surprising anecdotes, the result is a revealing exploration of both the aims and art of history-making, one that will lead us to rethink how we learn about our past and about ourselves." --. Provided by publisher

Our Missing Hearts: a novel by Ng, Celeste

"From the number one bestselling author of Little Fires Everywhere, a deeply suspenseful and heartrending novel about the unbreakable love between a mother and child in a society consumed by fear Twelve-year-old Bird Gardner lives a quiet existence with his loving but broken father, a former linguist who now shelves books in Harvard University's library. Bird knows to not ask too many questions, stand out too much, or stray too far. For a decade, their lives have been governed by laws written to preserve 'American culture' in the wake of years of economic instability and violence. To keep the peace and restore prosperity, the authorities are now allowed to relocate children of dissidents, especially those of Asian origin, and libraries have been forced to remove books seen as unpatriotic--including the work of Bird's mother, Margaret, a Chinese American poet who left the family when he was nine years old. Bird has grown up disavowing his mother and her poems; he doesn't know her work or what happened to her, and he knows he shouldn't wonder. But when he receives a mysterious letter containing only a cryptic drawing, he is drawn into a quest to find her. His journey will take him back to the many folktales she poured into his head as a child, through the ranks of an underground network of librarians, into the lives of the children who have been taken, and finally to New York City, where a new act of defiance may be the beginning of much-needed change. Our Missing Hearts is an old story made new, of the ways supposedly civilized communities can ignore the most searing injustice. It's a story about the power and limitations of art to create change, the lessons and legacies we pass on to our children, and how any of us can survive a broken world with our hearts intact"--. Provided by publisher.

The Last Cuentista by Higuera, Donna Barba

"A girl named Petra Pena, who wanted nothing more than to be a storyteller, like her abuelita. But Petra's world is ending. Earth has been destroyed by a comet, and only a few hundred scientists and their children - among them Petra and her family - have been chosen to journey to a new planet. They are the ones who must carry on the human race. Hundreds of years later, Petra wakes to this new planet - and the discovery that she is the only person who remembers Earth. A sinister Collective has taken over the ship during its journey, bent on erasing the sins of humanity's past. They have systematically purged the memories of all aboard - or purged them altogether. Petra alone now carries the stories of our past, and with them, any hope for our future. Can she make them live again? " --. Publisher's description.

The Liar's Dictionary: a novel by Williams, Eley

"Peter Winceworth, a disaffected Victorian lexicographer, inserts false entries into a dictionary - violating and subverting the dictionary's authority - in an attempt to assert some sense of individual purpose and artistic freedom. In the present day, Mallory, a young overworked, and underpaid intern employed by the dictionary's publishing house, is tasked with uncovering these entries before the work is digitised. As the novel progresses and their narratives combine, as Winceworth imagines who will find his fictional words in an unknown future and Mallory discovers more about the anonymous lexicographer's life through the clues left in his fictitious entries, both discover how they might negotiate the complexities of an absurd, relentless, untrustworthy, hoax-strewn, undefinable life. Braiding together contemporary and historical narratives, the novel explores themes of trust, agency and creativity, celebrating the rigidity, fragility and absurdity of language."--Provided by publisher.

Family Lexicon by Ginzburg, Natalia

"Natalia Ginzburg, one of Italy's great writers, introduced A Family Lexicon, her most celebrated work, with an unusual disclaimer: "The places, events and people are all real. I have invented nothing. Every time that I have found myself inventing something in accordance with my old habits as a novelist, I have felt impelled at once to destroy everything thus invented." A Family Lexicon re-creates with extraordinary objectivity the small world of a family enduring some of the most difficult years of the twentieth century, the period from the rise of Mussolini through World War II (Ginzburg's first husband, who was a member of the resistance, was killed by the Nazis) and its immediate aftermath. Every family has its store of phrases and sayings by which it maintains its sense of what it means to be a family. Such sayings and stories lie at the heart of a great novel about family and history"-- Provided by publisher.

Hush by Farrow, Dylan

"A stunning and timely debut from activist Dylan Farrow, Hush is a powerful feminist fantasy full of surprising insights, that casts a ray of light into the shadows of a society based on silencing and lies. How do you speak up in a world where propaganda is a twisted form of magic? In the land of Montane, language is literal magic to the select few who possess the gift of Telling. This power is reserved for the Bards, and, as everyone knows, the Bards have almost always been men. Seventeen-year-old Shae has lived her entire life in awe of the Bards-and afraid of the Blot, a deadly disease spread by ink, which took the life of her younger brother five years ago. Ever since, Shae fears she's cursed. But when tragedy strikes again, and her mother is found murdered with a golden dagger-a weapon used only by the Bards-Shae is forced to act. With a heart set on justice, Shae journeys to High House in search of answers. But when the kind, fatherly Cathal, the High Lord of Montane, makes Shae an undeniable offer to stay and train as a Bard, Shae can't refuse. Through this twisty tale, Shae endures backbreaking training by a ruthless female Bard, tentative and highly-forbidden feelings for a male Bard with a dark past, and a castle filled with dangerous illusions bent on keeping its secrets buried. But sometimes, the truth is closer than we think. We just have to learn to listen. "Farrow carefully crafts a layered world hiding dark secrets and gives us a fierce protagonist determined to unearth the truth-no matter the consequences. A compelling tale that's bound to grab your heart."--Swati Teerdhala, author of the Tiger at Midnight series"-- Provided by publisher.

The Paris Library: a novel by Skeslien Charles, Janet

"Paris, 1939. Young, ambitious, and tempestuous, Odile Souchet has it all: Paul, her handsome police officer beau; Margaret, her best friend from England; her adored twin brother Remy; and a dream job at the American Library in Paris, working alongside the library's legendary director, Dorothy Reeder. But when World War II breaks out, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear - including her beloved library. After the invasion, as the Nazis declare a war on words and darkness falls over the City of Light, Odile and her fellow librarians join the Resistance with the best weapons they have: books. They risk their lives again and again to help their fellow Jewish readers. When the war finally ends, instead of freedom, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal. Montana, 1983. Odile's solitary existence in gossipy small-town Montana is unexpectedly interrupted by Lily, her neighbor, a lonely teenager longing for adventure. As Lily uncovers more about Odile's mysterious past, they find they share a love of language, the same longings, the same lethal jealousy. Odile helps Lily navigate the troubled waters of adolescence by always recommending just the right book at the right time, never suspecting that Lily will be the one to help her reckon with her own terrible secret. Based on the true story of the American Library in Paris, The Paris Library explores the geography of resentment, the consequences of terrible choices made, and how extraordinary heroism can be found in the quietest of places"-- Provided by publisher.

People of the Book: a novel by Brooks, Geraldine

Inspired by a true story, People of the Book is a novel of sweeping historical grandeur and intimate emotional intensity by an acclaimed and beloved author. Called "a tour de force" by the San Francisco Chronicle, this ambitious, electrifying work traces the harrowing journey of the famed Sarajevo Haggadah, a beautifully illuminated Hebrew manuscript created in fifteenth-century Spain. When it falls to Hanna Heath, an Australian rare-book expert, to conserve this priceless work, the series of tiny artifacts she discovers in its ancient binding--an insect wing fragment, wine stains, salt crystals, a white hair--only begin to unlock its deep mysteries and unexpectedly plunges Hanna into the intrigues of fine art forgers and ultranationalist fanatics.

Words On Fire by Nielsen, Jennifer A.

New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen transports readers to a corner of history with this inspiring story of a girl who discovers the strength of her people united in resisting oppression.Danger is never far from Audra's family farm in Lithuania. She always avoids the occupying Russian Cossack soldiers, who insist that everyone must become Russian -- they have banned Lithuanian books, religion, culture, and even the language. But Audra knows her parents are involved in something secret and perilous.In June 1893, when Cossacks arrive abruptly at their door, Audra's parents insist that she flee, taking with her an important package and instructions for where to deliver it. But escape means abandoning her parents to a terrible fate.As Audra embarks on a journey to deliver the mysterious package, she faces unimaginable risks, and soon she becomes caught up in a growing resistance movement. Can joining the underground network of book smugglers give Audra a chance to rescue her parents?

Attack of the Black Rectangles by King, A. S.

When Mac first opens his classroom copy of Jane Yolen's The Devil's Arithmetic and finds some words blacked out, he thinks it must be a mistake. But then when he and his friends discover what the missing words are, he's outraged.

Someone in his school is trying to prevent kids from reading the full story.

But who?

Even though his unreliable dad tells him to not get so emotional about a book (or anything else), Mac has been raised by his mom and grandad to call out things that are wrong. He and his friends head to the principal's office to protest the censorship... but her response doesn't take them seriously.

So many adults want Mac to keep his words to himself.

Mac's about to see the power of letting them out.

In Attack of the Black Rectangles, acclaimed author Amy Sarig King shows all the ways truth can be hard... but still worth fighting for.